CINCINNATI - While it remains uncertain whether the Ravens can beat the NFL's elite, there are no doubts that they can manhandle the league's downtrodden.
Showing a steely focus and little mercy, the Ravens routed the lowly Cincinnati Bengals, 34-3, yesterday at a chilly and damp Paul Brown Stadium.
The Ravens improved to 6-0 against teams with losing records. Their average margin of victory is 18.8 points. They have trailed in only two of 24 quarters against those teams.
Worried about an upset? Not the Ravens. They don't just kick teams that are down. They stomp on them.
"It's understandable to look at a game like this and say that's potentially a game that they will overlook. But our guys just aren't there," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "If we stay humble and keep working hard, we'll never be there."
The Ravens rolled up their sleeves to produce perhaps the most lopsided win in their 13-year existence.
Their offense pounded the ball with running back Le'Ron McClain and attacked downfield with Joe Flacco's big arm, totaling 451 yards - 28 short of the team record.
Their defense manhandled the NFL's worst offense, holding Cincinnati to 155 yards (61 off the team record) and six first downs (the second fewest in team history).
Harbaugh called it a "methodical win." Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said it was like getting their "head kicked in."
Whatever way you describe it, this thorough whipping proves the Ravens have a different mentality than a season ago.
"We lost to a no-win team last year," said wide receiver Mark Clayton, referring to the Ravens' loss in Miami. "We know that every time you take the field, you got to bring your 'A' game regardless of records."
In their biggest margin of victory against an AFC North team since 2003, the Ravens (8-4) first hammered Cincinnati (1-10-1) with defense.
The Bengals didn't gain a first down on eight of their first 10 drives. On the Bengals' first six possessions, they ran 18 plays and managed only 20 yards.
"That was my job as a leader, telling these guys that this isn't about a record," linebacker Ray Lewis said.
The Ravens finished off the Bengals in the third quarter with offense. In a span of just more than two minutes, Clayton threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Derrick Mason on a trick play and then made a one-handed, 70-yard touchdown catch.
It was Clayton's first pass in a game since 2002 (his sophomore season at Oklahoma).
